PHOTOS: On this day 44 years ago, SNL began!

Lorne Michaels and the cast of SNL accept the award for outstanding variety sketch series for “Saturday Night Live” at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

This undated publicity photo provided by NBC Universal, shows NBC “Saturday Night Live” cast members, from left, Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Andy Samberg on the set during the show’s Weekend Update segment. Hader and Samberg are among four newcomers who have made noteworthy contributions to the longrunning comedy show this season. (AP Photo/NBC Universal Photo, Dana Edelson)

Gilda Radner and Jane Curtain, at right, appear on a skit for NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” This is an undated photo. (AP Photo/Edie Baskin)

In this image provided by NBC Sunday May 7, 2006 Fred Armisen, blue shirt and Tom Hanks play brothers who shout for their “Ma” while on line at the Universal Theme Park during a skit on Saturday Night Live May 6, 2006. (AP Photo/HO)

In this image provided by NBC Super Bowl champion turned SNL host Peyton Manning, front, plays the captain of a basketball team in a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” Saturday March 24, 2007, who reluctantly joins in with his coach (Will Forte) who tries to inspire his team with song and dance. (AP Photo/HO)

This image provided by NBC shows Peyton Manning delivering his monologue Saturday March 24, 2007 as Saturday Night Live host, talking about the importance of his football family. Acknowledging his father Archie Manning’s (standing, right) NFL career, brother and Giants QB Eli and feigning disgust introduced his mother Olivia who “never made it to the NFL and is a real disappointment to all of us.” (AP PHoto/NBC)

This Oct. 20, 2012 photo released by NBC shows, from left, Bruno Mars, Jason Sudeikis, Tim Robinson, Bill Hader and Bobby Moynihan during “Saturday Night Live,” in New York. Mars’ recent appearance on “Saturday Night Live” was more like Saturday Night Fever: He says he had so much fun hosting the show that he’d be happy to do it again. “Whatever ‘SNL’ wants from me, they can always call me,” the smiling 27-year-old said in an interview Wednesday afternoon. “I don’t know who told them I can act or anything ‘cause I can’t. I don’t know what they saw. (But) whatever they need from me, they can get.” (AP Photo/NBCUniversal, Dana Edelson)

Many Canadian acts have taken the stage as musical guests over 40 years of “Saturday Night Live.” Ahead of this weekend’s star-studded special, Arcade Fire, Sum 41 and Cowboy Junkies reflect on their appearances on the venerable sketch show. Arcade Fire is shown performing during a concert Monday, October 1, 2012, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PREMIER EXHIBITIONS - Saturday Night Live cast members Kyle Mooney, Sasheer Zamata, and Jay Pharoah are seen at the Premier Exhibitions Opening Night Party - SNL: The Exhibition on Thursday, May 28, 2015 in New York. (Brian Ach/AP Images for Premier Exhibitions)

Fourty-four years ago tonight, Saturday collectively became thousands of North Americans’ favourite day, with the premier of Saturday Night Live (SNL) on NBC.

Created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol, the show was originally titled NBC’s Saturday Night and the first host was George Carlin, American stand-up comedian. The parody sketch show has gone on to feature countless celebrities and comedians and taken aim at significant cultural and political issues over the years.

From celebrity jeopardy with Sean Connery, Chris Farley debuting his signature character Matt Foley, Adam Sandler’s norm-breaking Hanukkah Song, Peter Dinklage singing about Space Pants, the bromance of the century between Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake and everything in between, SNL has brought us to tears, brought us to our feet and kept us coming back each week.